Anyone taking Elleste duet?

[DressDownFriday]

I've been to the doctors today for my blood test results and been told the menopause is here .

I've got a prescription for Elleste 1mg - anyone out there taking it?

Would like to know your experiences, good or bad.

Thanks

[DressDownFriday]

ESP keep us updated as to how you are feeling.

I'm back at doctors today for another blood test - they noticed my white blood cells were low on my previous test so require another one to double check.

I was speaking to a friend yesterday who has also started menopause. She is 39 and been prescribed a non bleed HRT (can't remember the name) so I'm going to ask about this when I go this afternoon. She has only been taking it for a few days but feels miles better in her joints and sleeping and as I suffer both, I may start on the tablets sooner than planned. I put joint pain and not sleeping down to old age so maybe the tablets will help.

[ElectricSoftParade]

My kettle has stopped working today. I have been sobbing, sobbing and then sobbing some more.

I am not sure HRT is helping, at least emotionally.

[DressDownFriday]

ESP ah you poor thing - perhaps it may take a little while to settle down. I'm guessing you're going to have to stick with it and see what happens.

I'm going to start mine tomorrow (dates worked out so no bleeding on summer hols). God, I hope I get on ok. We're away for a few days so can really do without any adverse effects.

I hope you get onto an even keel soon. Stick with it and let me know how you're getting on.

[ElectricSoftParade]

Well, yesterday I did not have one sweat and I slept all last night only waking up twice and going back to sleep.

Compared to Sunday I feel different. I think I may start to love HRT.

Hope you are all doing well, ESP

[DressDownFriday]

ESP glad you're feeling so much better

I thought I would give an update for anyone who has been prescribed these tablets;

Well, I've been taking mine since Monday and feel soooooo much better. My mood has lifted, aching joints have gone and I don't have that constant exhausted feeling.

I am having mild, warm - not hot - flushes but hopefully these will disappear once the tablets have settled in. (My hot flushes had disppeared a couple of months before taking the tablets.)

Thinking about it, my joints had been a problem for the last 2/3 years - I even went to the doctors about my joints but nothing was found (obviously not looking for menopause) and it was around this time that my periods were being very heavy and erratic. With hindsight, if I had linked the 2 together, my hormones could have been tested then and my problems could have been sorted sooner. I put it all down to old age .

[MrsB1]

I am almost at the nd of my 2nd month on Elleste duet. I can honestly say that within a week of starting on it my life has been transformed. Hot sweats ? what are they ? I am getting quality sleep which has made a huge difference. After having only 1 period in the last year the monthly bleed was a bit of a bummer-very heavy but I coped. Still getting some mood swings and anger outbursts but I am beginning to seriously think that these may be generally stress r and depression related and am going to investigate that. I put off HRT for over 2 years but wish I had done it sooner !!

[restassured]

I've just been down to the docs, because I'm 45 and not had a period since January, with little hot flushes throughout the day, and waking up in the night with them. Just as DD started to sleep through the night, and I was looking forward to getting a decent sleep myself, this starts!!

Anyway - had put off doing to the docs for a couple of years (knew this was coming) because I'd had three miscarriages before DD, and so desperately wanted another child, but I'm 45 now, and I have to accept that it's just not going to happen....

Got Elleste Duet, and a bit sad because I guess you can't get pregnant on HRT? Stupidly still hoping against hope.

Just want to feel better really and have someone tell me I've done the right thing.....

[PorkyandBess]

Another early meno here.

I've been on it for a year and I think it's great. Alleviated all of my symptoms within days and I feel completely back to normal.

I am a fan of the white pills, I wish I could have them all month. When I start on the green ones, I feel my mood worsens!

[ElectricSoftParade]

My moods have definately balanced out and am not having many flushes at all, about 1-2 per day. This is brilliant.

The most noticable side-effect is that my breasts have grown . Sadly, so has my backside and stomach. I must say, after a wobbly start I am really feeling more myself than I have done for a long time. Long may it last!


restassured My GP told me that I would have periods and there was a very, very small chance I could conceive. Not sure if that helps but hope you are doing ok, ESP

[Thekentess]

Just started Elleste Duet 1mg on Monday after 2years of alternative treatments.
Praying for some sleep very soon and sweat free days!
I've had lots of reservations about HRT but was at the stage where I had to do something!

[Blackcatperson]

I started taking Elleste duet on my 52nd birthday, a month ago. I was totally exhausted after sleepless nights, hot flushes and migraines were taking over my life. I felt so I'll. Originally I held off HRT because of the risk of breast cancer. ( two people I know have had it in the last 2 years) and because I hadn't been bleed free for a year. We then went on a weeks holiday. My hot flushes stopped in the first few days of my holiday, then I found I could sleep through the night for the first time in years. My head cleared and felt so different. No migraines.I could buy food and actually know what to do with it! I was so looking forward to leading a normal life again, and realised I haven't been well for a couple of years. Wish i'd been given it ages ago. Unfortunately, it has come too late for me, as when we got back from holiday my husband said he coldn't cope, and has left me after 25 years. I now have stomach pains and nausea every morning and loose bowels. Think this might be Elleste as it's every day.

[MissBoPeep]

Blackcat- just to say so sorry about your DH- what a cad.
I suspect he was looking for a reason to leave and your meno gave him that "excuse".

Your digestive symptoms sound much more like anxiety and emotional based (IBS?)considering what you have been through.

Good luck.

[Gortex2]

Hi all. Just registered with the site today. I'm 47. Just started on Elleste Duet 1mg today, after experiencing nearly EVERY symptom of menopause for the last couple of years... some of them longer... got to the stage where I was awake more than I was asleep at night due to on/off duvet/sweating. Daytime too. Saw doc a month ago & she recommended www. menopausematters.co.uk (it's the one they use themselves to get the quickest up-to-date thinking on the subject!) A great site. Answers the questions you want to ask the GP but can't cover in the short appointment time available. Great prep for when you visit next time. Any old hoo, I'll keep you posted on how it goes.....

[Bellaciao]

Balckcat - some women do report digestive problems with oral HRT. If there is no other cause and it continues then go back to the doc and ask for transdermal HRT ( patch or gel) as it doesn;t have to go through the digestive system.

Allk the different types are listed on the site recommended by gortex2. This takes you straight to the different types for peri-meno (not bleed free for a year)

www.menopausematters.co.uk/perimeno.php

As you can see there is not much choice of patch though. I use Estradot and seperate progesterone (Utrogestan).

Sorry to hear about your husband too....

[MrsB21]

Hello, Ive just joined today. Looking for advice too. I started on Elleste solo 1mg just over 2 weeks ago, I havent bled since before xmas but now ive been bleeding for 2 days, im bloated and feel exhausted. I also got a merena coil fitted as i didnt want the hrt duo as this would give me a period. This is my 2nd merena...i 46. Will the bleeding stop or is this going to be a regular visitor. Thanks Ellen, x

[katieliza]

Hi everyone. I've just registered to add my two-pennorth. Having been on Elleste Duet for a year, I decided to come off it as I didn't like the heavy periods. Been off it for 2 weeks now and I'm making an appt with my GP on Monday to go straight back on it. When you're on it, you feel so normal (at least I did) that I thought it worth coming off and seeing if I was OK. Weird logic, I know. But because I felt so "normal" I'd forgotten the reasons I went on it. Really fast heart beat, sleeplessness, irritable, tired and really bad aching joints. But I've been given a rude reminder as they're all back with a vengeance. I'd much rather suffer a day of heavy bleeding and tummy pains than how I'm feeling at the moment. I think my husband will be glad when I go back on it as well!

[Bellaciao]

Hi MrsB21 Did you have the Mirena originally for heavy periods or contraception? It may well be that the Mirena stopped your periods before because your own oestrogen was declining if you approaching menopause ( do you know if you are near menopause?). Now that you have added extra oestrogen you are stimulating the womb lining to grow again, so maybe the progestogen in the Mirena isn't sufficient to stop the bleeding yet. If you are still peri-menopause maybe you would be better off with a cyclical HRT then you would know when the bleeding would be? If your periods were heavy though - then heavy periods might return. How long have you had this new Mirena? I would defo have a word with your medic.

katieliza - that's just it! We often feel that taking HRT there will be no issues and we will feel perfectly well - but forgetting that actually throughout our fertile years when having periods - we felt rubbish for certain times in the month - so HRT is no different especially when you maintain the cycle. On balance though we should feel better on it - if the HRT type suits us - because the symptoms of oestrogen deficiency will not go away on their own!

If you are joining new places, you might like to have a look at a new menopause support forum with lots of information on HRT and a merry band of menopausal women there to give advice support and have a laugh with - you wil be assured of a warm welcome!

menopausesupport.proboards.com/index.cgi

[misspickle]

Hi

I am 43 and I have just been prescribed Elleste Duet 1mg for flushes/night sweats moods swings etc. My blood test a few months ago came back that I was perimenopausel . I am still having periods although I have not had one for a few months and they have been a bit erratic. Im sure the Dr said I was to start these the first day of my period but Im not sure when that will be. I am hesitant about taking these tablets but decided to try them as osteoporosis runs in the family. I have found this thread quite encouraging and it has made me realise that maybe some other symptoms I have are related to menopause rather than age i.e. sore knees etc. Fingers crossed these work and not too many side effects. Will keep you posted as to how I get on.

[Sosi]

I have just been given Elleste duet today. I have been suffering really badly with joint and muscle pain and stiffness and extreme fatigue. I didn't expect this to be so bad as I have been very physically active most of my life but this has brought me to a standstill! The doctor wasn't sure HRT was going to help with the joints but from previous posts it looks possible. I have all the other symptoms too but being weak and stiff I feel about 90 years old. Is the HRT still helping you all with the joints problem

[Bellaciao]

Hi Sosi
Can't really help with the joints thing but I do know of some women on another meno forum who have experience of this (joint and muscle pian etc) and HRT - so if you don't get help on here why not go and visit them here:
menopausesupport.proboards.com/index.cgi

[Ellu]

Hello dear Ladies,
I have just joined this thread and I hope it will help me to make my mind about Elleste Duet. I am 46 and I have been in the "dark place" for quite a while now: feeling down, no energy, no motivation, no sex drive. My period finished coming about 2 years ago and only now I have a box of Elleste Duet in front of me. The only thing what is holding me back, is the risk of cancer. Could somebody give me their point of view on this side effect of Elleste Duet? I want my normal life back and the joy of living it, but to me, cancer is too high price to pay for that. Please give me your advice how possible for it to happen with Elleste Duet. I am very grateful for your time in advance!

[Bellaciao]

Ellu - what sort of cancer are you worried about?

At 46 and with no periods for 2 years the benefits of taking oestrogen to protect your bones and a host of other unpleasant symptoms and conditions, far outweigh the risks.

Here is one comment quoted by the British Menopause Society which summarises current thinking:

"WHI researcher Professor Matthew Allison (University of California, San Diego), said:
?It is important to put the results of the WHI trials into context. That is, being obese, not exercising or excess alcohol consumption confer higher absolute risks for breast cancer than HT use.?

WHI was the large Women's Health Initiative study which produced the now flawed conclusions about the risks of HRT.

If I were you I would take it like a shot. The only thing is - have you been given the conti version as you have been period free for 2 years? Some women find that the synthetic progestogen (known as norethisterone) in the Elleste can give them headaches and some undesirable symptoms so negating the beneficial effect of the oestrogen. Also it doesn't always help with the sex drive but can do - often it is only testosterone which helps here, and this is not so widely prescribed for women by GPs although sometimes by specialist gynaes.

[Kinora]

Hi all (I'm op in disguise - I can't do a name change on my mobile)

I'm glad this thread is still running and,hopefully, useful to anyone considering taking the tablets.

I've been taking them for a few months and feel sosuch better - better joints, better moods and better sleep.

I did have a period (after 8 months of none, prior to the tablets). The first one was quite heavy but subsequent ones have got lighter and this month nothing. Not sure what's going on but not giving me any problems so won't worry too much about it. I Will mention it to the doctor next time I go. I think the literature with the tablets did say that some people don't have a period with them.

I've had nothing negative to say about the tablets. After all my initial worries, I'm glad I went ahead and started taking them.

DressDownFriday

[Suorour18]

I have just taken my first white Elleste Duet 1mg tablet today. Aged 48 and had no bleed since February 2012. After months of sweats and sleeplessness my doctor has prescribed this HRT. Never thought I would ever take this treatment but will let you know how I get on.

[Kinora]

How are you getting on suorour18? Hope you're noticing a difference.